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Home » Parenting » Education » 10 Tips to Survive the Back to School Transition

10 Tips to Survive the Back to School Transition

By Krissy of B-Inspired Mama 11 Comments

Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.

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This post was contributed by Amie of Playful Matters.

Does the Back to School Transition Stress You Out?

Are you ready for the kids to go back to school? Or maybe you are getting prepared to homeschool? It is an exciting, busy, nervous and uncertain time of the year. The summer vacation has been wonderful for days of endless play and connecting as a family, but sad to say, that time is drawing to a close.

Hi! I am Amie from the blog Playful Matters. I am a Mama to four very playful kids, ranging down from a teen, a Kindergartner and twin Preschoolers. As you can guess from my blog title, play is big news around our place and every day we endeavor to make connections through our play. You are welcome to learn more about us and the great stuff we do through Facebook and Instagram.

I’m sharing 10 great tips with you today for getting ready for back to school and making a smooth transition from summer vacation mode to school mode.

10 Tips to Survive the Back to School Transition - B-Inspired Mama

This post may contain affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy.

10 Tips to Survive the Back to School Transition

1. Organize School Clutter

We live in a small home and it has been a mission with a family of six to keep the clutter to a minimum and things organised. But my main priority is to create a home that we want to be in! A place that is calm and peaceful. A warm and friendly place. I have created this school work station to help maintain and streamline the bits and pieces that come home everyday. Krissy (of B-Inspired Mama) also shared her new small home homework zone.

10 Tips to Survive the Back to School Transition - Organizing School Work - B-Inspired Mama

2. Revive the Morning Rhythm

Getting ready for school and getting out the door can be a struggle for many families. We keep it flowing with a rhythm that begins before the kids are out of bed. First of all I need to fill my Mama tank to set myself up for a great day. Then its onto the chores and preparing the kids for their day. To ensure that chaos doesn’t break out when it comes time to use our one and only bathroom by six family members, we cater for this in our rhythm and a timer! The first one to finish breakfast gets the bathroom first, then chores are given out to those that are waiting and we rotate through. These great morning routine hacks in this post from Krissy that might help, too.

3. Establish an Afternoon Rhythm

This time of the day can be CRAZY for many families. We have established an afternoon rhythm to help us make the most of this important time of the day, after school has finished. We provide a balance to and supplement the kids education with something we call Nature Adventurers. It is child interest based and enables the kids to explore topics of interest beyond the confines and restrictions of the classroom. You can also learn how many other moms handle after school routines in this post from Krissy.

4. Lasso Your Evening Rhythm

Kids are getting pretty over it by now, so a simple evening rhythm has saved our sanity many times. With three children all sleeping in the same room having a bedtime rhythm ensures that each evening flows along and each child has their love and attention tank filled before going to sleep.

5. Snuggle Into a Bedtime Rhythm

When the day is over and it is time to tuck the kids into bed, is one of our favorite times. Here’s some simple ideas to make it a special moment between you. And here are some sleep tips for kids, too.

6. Plan a Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly Rhythm

Make a list of activities that you want to do on a daily basis, then make a list of activities that are done on a weekly basis during the school year. Assign your weekly activities to each day of the week. Look at your daily activities and put them into an order that would work for your day. You can see ours here. Try to establish a rhythm that allows for free time and protect that space from being filled with activity. Kids and parents need breathing space. Avoid over scheduling. See Tip 10!

10 Tips to Survive the Back to School Transition - Routines - B-Inspired Mama

It is a great idea to get out the calendar and the school calendar, then mark in important events, festivals and seasonal activities that will occur over the year. Make a plan in the month the celebration occurs to prepare and get the kids involved in the preparations. My biggest tip that has helped me the most is plans are more likely to happen if they are scheduled in!

7. Bring In A Housework Rhythm

After the holidays you may be looking forward to taking control of the home again! A good rhythm will make housework feel manageable. At Playful Matters we have encouraged the kids to be involved in housework since they first showed interest. We are currently implementing a Saturday Home Blessing with great success and I am working on a way that the kids can learn about money and saving by implementing a pocket money system. It is important to our family that the kids do chores that are not paid, such as self-care tasks but then there are chores they will earn pocket money for. It is a work in progress but I am looking forward to sharing what we come up with!

10 Tips to Survive the Back to School Transition - Housework and Chores - B-Inspired Mama

8. First Day Thoughts

Make a plan for the first day of school. It doesn’t have to be complicated, in fact simple traditions are often the best. Some things to think about: Are the kids counting down to it? What is your vision for the first day of school? What traditions if any, make this a special day for you and the kids? What do you need to prepare?

9. Menu Plan

I love having a full menu plan. Caring for a family of six takes quite a mental toll so having a menu plan that tells me what we’re having for breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner means I don’t have think about it! I pack lunch for my three youngest children everyday, whether they are attending that day or not. Having a menu plan means I know what we’re having for dinner and need to organize for lunches in advance. With a little preparation on the weekend and after the weekly shop I can have many of the items needed for the lunch boxes ready to go.

10 Tips to Survive the Back to School Transition - Meal Planning - B-Inspired Mama

10. Keep Play Sacred

During the break, there was plenty of unscheduled time, now the kids are back in school it is important to schedule in unscheduled time…sounds contradictory doesn’t it, but stay with me here. Too often kids are rushed from adult-led activity to adult-led activity, kids need time to just daydream, be bored and play in a variety of ways. Over on playful matters we encourage four types of play – exploratory, tactile, creative and dramatic play.

What are your back to school tips that have helped start the new school year off on the right foot? Tell us about them in the comments below!

Amie is a busy mama to four kids.  She shares inspiration to play, create and learn with kids at Playful Matters.  Her playful inspiration can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Back to School Resources from B-Inspired Mama:

18 Back to School Morning Routine Hacks at B-Inspired Mama    8 Moms Share Their Kids After School Routine - B-Inspired Mama

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This post may contain affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy.

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Filed Under: Education, Parenting Tagged With: Back to School, Parenting, Routines, School

About Krissy of B-Inspired Mama

Former M.Ed Art Teacher. Current Blogger & Social Media Influencer. Always Crazy & Creative Mama of 3.

Previous Post: « What Do Kids Learn in Preschool? + 24 Activities, Too!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chelsea says

    August 14, 2015 at 3:29 AM

    These are really great tips!!!! I’ve only had one child in school for 2 years now, and I’m realising how important rhythm and routines are! Thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says

      August 14, 2015 at 8:21 AM

      I agree that Amie’s tips are great! And I love her use of “rhythm” over routine. Sounds more inviting, right?

      Reply
  2. Kate Lloyd says

    August 14, 2015 at 12:15 AM

    Awesome collection of ideas. 🙂

    Reply
  3. kate @ livinglovinglaughing says

    August 13, 2015 at 11:24 PM

    Great post and so helpful! I agree especially about scheduling in unscheduled time – it is absolutely crucial for kids to have that free time to play!

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says

      August 14, 2015 at 8:23 AM

      Oh yes, I think that’s so important! This year my kids start a charter school that has a mandatory afternoon “extended day” program with extra-curricular type activities, so we won’t be doing any evening activities. I’m so relieved.

      Reply
  4. Melissa says

    August 13, 2015 at 10:49 PM

    Some really great ideas. Thanks for sharing. I think I definitely need to set up a school work station. I am always losing notes.

    Reply
  5. katepickle says

    August 13, 2015 at 10:24 PM

    Loads of great ideas!
    We have a really simple first day tradition… milkshakes at the local cafe after school on the first day! We started it by accident back when my oldest started school and the kids remembered it so fondly that they remind me every year!

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says

      August 14, 2015 at 8:24 AM

      That’s so awesome! I love simple traditions like that.

      Reply
  6. Amie says

    August 13, 2015 at 9:55 PM

    Thanks heaps for having us over on B-Inspired Mama! It was so much fun putting this post together for your readers 🙂

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says

      August 14, 2015 at 8:23 AM

      No, thank you! It’s a lovely post with awesome ideas. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Debs says

    August 13, 2015 at 9:43 PM

    What a useful post! Thanks. Love your school work station. I think I need to set something like this up too!

    Reply

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